Marisa C. Kozlowski Named Next Associate Dean for the Natural Sciences

Marisa C. Kozlowski, Ponzy Lu Endowed Professor of Chemistry, will become Associate Dean for the Natural Sciences in the School of Arts & Sciences effective June 1, 2025. In this role, Kozlowski will oversee the Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Linguistics, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, and Psychology departments, along with a number of research centers. She will succeed Mark Trodden, who is transitioning to the role of Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences on June 1.
Kozlowski’s research focuses on the rational design of new methods and catalysts for use in organic synthesis. Her lab employs high-throughput screening, as well as several novel computational tools, for the discovery and optimization of new reagents and catalysts.
Kozlowski, who joined the Penn faculty in 1997, has been recognized with many awards and honors during her distinguished career. She was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2012 and a fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in 2013. She has also been recognized as an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow and received the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award and the Leete Award from the ACS. She has served in several leadership roles for the organic division of the ACS and is currently editor-in-chief of Organic Letters. Her teaching has been recognized with the School’s Dennis DeTurck Award for Innovation in Teaching and the Provost Award for PhD Teaching and Mentoring.
“Marisa has a distinguished track record as a laboratory scientist, a teacher, and mentor, and has long played a vital role in advancing the work of her department and the School,” said Interim Dean Jeffrey Kallberg, in announcing her appointment. “I have consistently admired the depth of her thought and wisdom in important faculty discussions in all the committees where she has served.”
“I couldn’t imagine a better choice to take over this role at this time,” added Trodden, Fay R. and Eugene L. Langberg Professor of Physics. “Marisa’s expertise in laboratory science and deep understanding of the federal funding sphere will make her an exceptional resource at this critical moment for the sciences at Penn.”